This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
A kohlrabi is ready to pick when the bulb reaches about 2 to 3 inches in diameter, which is typically 45 to 60 days after planting.
That’s the sweet spot where you’ll know exactly when is a kohlrabi ready to pick for the most tender, crisp, and flavorful harvest.
If you’ve been wondering when is a kohlrabi ready to pick in your own garden, the answer really comes down to size, firmness, and a bit of timing.
In this post, we’ll dig into the signs that tell you when is a kohlrabi ready to pick, what happens if you wait too long, and how to harvest kohlrabi like a pro.
Let’s get growing.
When Is a Kohlrabi Ready to Pick? The Simple Size Rule
The most reliable way to know when is a kohlrabi ready to pick is by measuring the bulb at its widest point.
Kohlrabi is ready to pick when the swollen stem, the part you eat, is about the size of a tennis ball or a golf ball for baby varieties.
1. Check the Diameter for the Perfect Pick
When is a kohlrabi ready to pick?
Grab a ruler or just use your hand as a rough guide.
A kohlrabi is ready to pick when it measures 2 to 3 inches across.
At this size, the flesh is still juicy, sweet, and crunchy, perfect for eating raw in salads or slicing into slaws.
If you’re growing a variety like ‘Kolibri’ or ‘Delikate Blue’, the same rule applies, so you’ll know when is a kohlrabi ready to pick regardless of the cultivar.
2. Feel the Firmness to Confirm It’s Ready to Pick
When is a kohlrabi ready to pick can also be determined by touch.
Give the bulb a gentle squeeze, and a kohlrabi is ready to pick if it feels solid and dense with no soft spots.
If the skin gives slightly under pressure, that means it’s starting to become woody, so you should have picked it earlier.
That firmness tells you when is a kohlrabi ready to pick because a truly ripe one will feel almost like an apple in your hand.
3. Watch the Leaves for Another Clue
The foliage on top can also hint at when is a kohlrabi ready to pick.
When the leaves still look vibrant and stand upright, the plant is actively growing.
When is a kohlrabi ready to pick often coincides with the leaves starting to yellow slightly at the edges?
Not always, though, so don’t rely solely on leaf color, but it’s a good secondary sign.
Healthy, green leaves mean the bulb is still maturing, so you can wait a few more days before deciding when is a kohlrabi ready to pick.
4. Count the Days from Transplanting
Time is a super helpful guide for knowing when is a kohlrabi ready to pick.
Most kohlrabi varieties mature in 45 to 60 days from transplanting.
If you planted seeds directly, add about a week to that timeline.
So mark your calendar, and when you hit that day range, start checking daily for when is a kohlrabi ready to pick.
Early varieties like ‘Early White Vienna’ can be ready as soon as 45 days, while storage types might need the full 60.
5. Harvest in Cool Weather for the Best Flavor
When is a kohlrabi ready to pick is also influenced by the season you’re growing in.
Kohlrabi prefers cool weather, so a kohlrabi planted in early spring or late summer will be ready to pick before the heat stresses it.
If a hot spell hits, the plant may bolt, and then no amount of waiting will help you decide when is a kohlrabi ready to pick because it’ll turn bitter.
The sweetest harvests come when you pick kohlrabi in the mild days of spring or fall.
What Happens If You Don’t Pick Kohlrabi on Time?
So you’ve missed the window for when is a kohlrabi ready to pick?
Don’t panic, but do act fast.
1. The Bulb Becomes Woody and Tough
If you ignore when is a kohlrabi ready to pick, the bulb will keep expanding.
Once it gets bigger than 4 inches, the interior turns fibrous and woody.
That means it’s no longer a kohlrabi ready to pick for fresh eating, because it’ll be tough and unpleasant to chew.
Some gardeners peel these larger bulbs and cook them, but honestly, the quality drops fast.
2. The Skin Gets Thick and Stringy
When is a kohlrabi ready to pick is all about that thin, edible skin.
If you wait too long, the outer layer thickens and becomes stringy.
You’ll end up having to peel aggressively, losing a lot of the flesh just to get to something edible.
That’s why checking for when is a kohlrabi ready to pick every few days is so important.
3. The Plant May Bolt to Seed
As the season warms or if the plant gets stressed, it will send up a flower stalk.
Once bolting starts, the bulb stops swelling, and the whole plant shifts energy to reproduction.
At that point, when is a kohlrabi ready to pick is a moot question, because the bulb will be bitter and tough.
You can still harvest it, but the flavor won’t be anything like a properly timed pick.
How to Harvest Kohlrabi Once You Know It’s Ready to Pick
You’ve figured out when is a kohlrabi ready to pick, and now you need to get it out of the ground.
1. Use a Sharp Knife or Garden Shears
A kohlrabi is ready to pick when the bulb is firm, so cut the stem about an inch below the bulb with a clean, sharp tool.
Don’t yank it out by the leaves, because you’ll tear the bulb or the roots.
Slice through cleanly, and you’ll know when is a kohlrabi ready to pick was done right because the cut will be smooth.
2. Trim the Leaves Right After Harvest
Once you’ve determined when is a kohlrabi ready to pick and cut it, remove most of the leaves.
Leave about an inch of stem above the bulb.
The leaves will draw moisture out of the bulb if you leave them on, causing it to shrivel.
Don’t toss those leaves, though, they’re edible and taste like collard greens or kale.
3. Store Your Kohlrabi Properly
After you’ve confirmed when is a kohlrabi ready to pick and harvested it, storage is easy.
Place unwashed bulbs in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your fridge.
They’ll stay fresh for up to three weeks.
If you have a root cellar, kohlrabi can last for months at near-freezing temperatures with high humidity.
Just make sure they’re dry before storing to prevent rot.
So, When Is a Kohlrabi Ready to Pick in Your Garden?
A kohlrabi is ready to pick when the bulb is 2 to 3 inches wide, feels very firm, and you’ve hit roughly 45 to 60 days since planting.
You’ll know when is a kohlrabi ready to pick because it looks like a little purple or green orb sitting just above the soil line, perfectly plump and smooth.
Check your plants every few days, especially as they near maturity, and don’t be shy about harvesting early.
Smaller kohlrabi are actually sweeter and more tender, so when in doubt, pick it.
Remember that when is a kohlrabi ready to pick isn’t a mystery once you learn the size and firmness cues.
Get out there, feel those bulbs, and enjoy that crisp, radish-like crunch at its absolute peak.
Happy gardening, and may every kohlrabi you harvest be exactly when it’s ready to pick.